LPGA Tour star Jenny Shin suggested amateurs who put down women’s stars be allowed to play against professionals to help them understand that there are levels to sports, especially against the best
LPGA star Jenny Shin proposed an idea pitting ‘haters’ who downplay women against professional golfers(Image: Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
LPGA Tour star Jenny Shin suggested an idea to help amateurs understand just how much more refined professionals are compared to them.
The LPGA features the best female golfers in the world including Nelly Korda, who recently showcased her true colors after failing to win the Women’s U.S. Open, losing out to Maja Stark and extending her winless streak at the event. Star Lydia Ko also came to Rory McIlroy’s defense after the Northern Irishman’s recent behavior.
Despite the standing Korda, Shin and Ko have in the golf community, there are still some who continue to downplay what those on the LPGA Tour do. As such, Shin proposed an idea to help amateurs understand that there are levels to how professionals play in comparison.
Taking to X, the 32-year-old wrote: “It’s brilliant what @RiggsBarstool is doing. Some of us LPGA golfers need a haters series where we play against the amateur male golfers that look down on female LPGA pros.”
Fans were quick to agree that a series pitting amateurs against pros would be must-see TV. “I played Fields Ranch East a week before the KPMG, and shot an 83. I’m an 8/9 handicap and the conditions were perfect, and the greens were soft and receptive. Yall would SMOKE pretty much anyone that’s scratch or worse. Would love to see it!”
Another fan added that they specifically would start downplaying the LPGA just to have a chance to play against some of the best golfers in the world. “I’d start hating just for an opportunity to play a match,” a fan on X replied in jest, adding a crying laughing face emoji.
Jenny Shin has been playing on the LPGA Tour and Epson Tour, with two total wins to her name(Image: Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
That last comment is one that the South Korean also addressed in a later post. “If my idea actually went through, can’t image how many fake haters would be created to play golf with someone like Charley [Hull] and Nelly lol,” she added.
She continued that while she would love to have some of the biggest names participate, Shin believes that having those stars would be highly unlikely.
“First of all, I don’t think someone of Nelly’s caliber (popularity) would agree to do this. And I can guarantee she would beat every single amateur golfer no matter their handicap,” Shin admitted.
“Her aura and being in front of a camera alone would add 5 shots to their handicap. She actually hits it 280-300 off the tee, but straight.”
The 32-year-old further added that taking amateurs out of their comfort zone could make them perform worse and ultimately, could make the series not as enjoyable as it could be, if it even comes to fruition.
“I play a lot of golf outside of tournament golf. I genuinely love playing golf with amateurs because it’s a great way to connect with people outside of my profession,” Shin claimed.
“I play with a lot of money games with players between 15hcp to +4. Moment I take them to a place outside their comfort zone, they lose their mentality and their confidence. Put them in front of a camera where they’ll be criticized, it’s another dimension.”
